Refuse vehicle with independently operational accessory system

ABSTRACT

A refuse vehicle includes tractive elements, a prime mover, and an independent accessory system. The prime mover is configured to generate mechanical energy to drive one or more of the tractive elements. The independent accessory system includes one or more storage tanks, an accessory primary mover, and a hydraulic pump. The one or more storage tanks are configured to store a fuel. The accessory primary mover configured to fluidly couple with the one or more storage tanks to receive the fuel from the one or more storage tanks. The hydraulic pump is configured to be driven by the primary mover to pressurize a hydraulic fluid to drive an accessory of the refuse vehicle. The accessory primary mover is configured to pressurize the hydraulic fluid to drive the accessory of the refuse vehicle independently of operation of the prime mover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/881,089, filed Jul. 31, 2019, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Refuse vehicles collect a wide variety of waste, trash, and othermaterial from residences and businesses. Operators of the refusevehicles transport the material from various waste receptacles within amunicipality to a storage or processing facility (e.g., a landfill, anincineration facility, a recycling facility, etc.).

SUMMARY

One implementation of the present disclosure is a refuse vehicle,according to an exemplary embodiment. The refuse vehicle includestractive elements, a prime mover, and an independent accessory system.The prime mover is configured to generate mechanical energy to drive oneor more of the tractive elements. The independent accessory systemincludes one or more storage tanks, an accessory primary mover, and ahydraulic pump. The one or more storage tanks are configured to store afuel. The accessory primary mover configured to fluidly couple with theone or more storage tanks to receive the fuel from the one or morestorage tanks. The hydraulic pump is configured to be driven by theprimary mover to pressurize a hydraulic fluid to drive an accessory ofthe refuse vehicle. The accessory primary mover is configured topressurize the hydraulic fluid to drive the accessory of the refusevehicle independently of operation of the prime mover.

Another implementation of the present disclosure is an independentaccessory system for a refuse vehicle, according to an exemplaryembodiment. The system includes one or more storage tanks, an accessoryprimary mover, and a hydraulic pump. The one or more storage tanks areconfigured to store a fuel. The accessory primary mover is configured tofluidly couple with the one or more storage tanks to receive the fuelfrom the one or more storage tanks. The hydraulic pump is configured tobe driven by the primary mover to a pressurize a hydraulic fluid todrive an accessory of the refuse vehicle. The accessory primary mover isconfigured to pressurize the hydraulic fluid to drive the accessory ofthe refuse vehicle independently of operation of a prime mover of therefuse vehicle.

Another implementation of the present disclosure is a refuse vehicle,according to an exemplary embodiment. The refuse vehicle includestractive elements, a primary mover, and an independent compressednatural gas (CNG) system. The primary mover is configured to drive thetractive elements for transportation. The independent compressed naturalgas (CNG) system includes CNG storage tanks, and an independent CNGengine. The CNG storage tanks are configured to store CNG fuel. The CNGstorage tanks are positioned within a tailgate of the refuse vehicle.The independent CNG engine is configured to receive the CNG fuel fromthe CNG storage tanks and generate mechanical energy using the CNG fuel.The independent CNG engine operates independently of operation of theprimary mover of the refuse vehicle.

This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any waylimiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of thedevices or processes described herein will become apparent in thedetailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeelements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refuse vehicle including anindependent accessory system, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the independent accessory system of therefuse vehicle of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the refuse vehicle ofFIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a charging system for the refuse vehicle ofFIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a support structure for fuel tanks ofthe independent accessory system of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1, with anaccessory power unit that contains some of the components of theindependent accessory system of FIG. 1, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the FIGURES, which illustrate certain exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the presentdisclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in thedescription or illustrated in the FIGURES. It should also be understoodthat the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

Overview

Referring generally to the FIGURES, a refuse vehicle includes a primemover configured to drive the refuse vehicle for transportation. Therefuse vehicle may include tractive elements (e.g., wheels) that areconfigured to be driven by the prime mover to transport the refusevehicle from location to location. The prime mover can be an electricmotor, a compressed natural gas (CNG) engine, an internal combustionengine (e.g., a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, etc.), or anycombination thereof. For example, the refuse vehicle may be a hybridrefuse vehicle that includes both an electric motor and an internalcombustion engine.

The refuse vehicle also includes an independent accessory system that isconfigured to operate various body functions of the refuse vehicle. Forexample, the independent accessory system can be configured to operatelift arms, a packer apparatus, a tailgate, lifting/dumping apparatuses,etc., of the refuse vehicle. The independent accessory system caninclude one or more fuel tanks (e.g., pressure vessels) that store fuel(e.g., CNG fuel, diesel fuel, gasoline fuel, etc.) for use by an engine(e.g., an internal combustion engine). The fuel may be stored in the oneor more fuel tanks as a liquid fuel, a gaseous fuel, or a combinationthereof (e.g., a saturated fuel). The engine may be configured tofluidly couple with the fuel tanks to receive fuel from the tanks,combust the fuel, and drive a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump candraw or recirculate hydraulic fluid from a reservoir and provide thehydraulic fluid to one or more hydraulic cylinders. The hydrauliccylinders can be operated to perform various body functions (e.g., byextending and/or retracting).

The independent accessory system can be operated by a user through ahuman machine interface (HMI) and a controller. The controller mayreceive user inputs from the HMI and generate control signals for theengine and/or the hydraulic pump to perform requested operations of thebody functions. The engine and the hydraulic pump may be sized accordingto requirements of the various body functions. For example, a compactionapparatus that compacts, crushes, compresses, or otherwise packs refusemay require a larger hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic pump, and engine.Likewise, a smaller hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic pump, and engine maybe suitable for lift arms for small refuse collection bins.

In some embodiments, one or more of the components of the independentaccessory system are positioned within a modular unit (e.g., a modularadd-on unit, an accessory power unit, etc.). The modular unit can beremovably coupled with the refuse vehicle. The modular unit can includethe engine, the hydraulic pump, a reservoir for the hydraulic pump, etc.In some embodiments, the modular unit is configured to fluidly couplewith the fuel tanks to receive the fuel from the fuel tanks. The modularunit can be removably and/or fixedly coupled anywhere on the refusevehicle, and may be fluidly coupled with the fuel tanks.

The prime mover of the refuse vehicle may be an electric motor. If theprime mover is an electric motor, the refuse vehicle may include abattery system having battery cells. The battery cells may storeelectrical energy (e.g., in the form of chemical energy) and provide theelectrical energy to the electric motor for transportation. The batterysystem can be configured to removably electrically couple with acharging station that may be located at jobsites, along a route of therefuse vehicle, at charging locations, at a fleet management location(e.g., a home base), etc. The charging station can include an engine, agenerator, and fuel tanks. The fuel tanks can provide the engine withfuel. The engine combusts the fuel and drives the generator (e.g.,through a shaft). The generator then charges the batteries withelectrical power/electrical energy that can be used to transport therefuse vehicle.

Overall Vehicle

As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle, shown as refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., agarbage truck, a waste collection truck, a sanitation truck, a recyclingtruck, etc.), is configured as a front-loading refuse truck. In otherembodiments, the refuse vehicle 10 is configured as a side-loadingrefuse truck or a rear-loading refuse truck. In still other embodiments,the vehicle is another type of vehicle (e.g., a skid-loader, atelehandler, a plow truck, a boom lift, etc.). As shown in FIG. 1, therefuse vehicle 10 includes a chassis, shown as frame 12; a bodyassembly, shown as body 14, coupled to the frame 12 (e.g., at a rear endthereof, etc.); and a cab, shown as cab 16, coupled to the frame 12(e.g., at a front end thereof, etc.). The cab 16 may include variouscomponents to facilitate operation of the refuse vehicle 10 by anoperator (e.g., a seat, a steering wheel, actuator controls, a userinterface, switches, buttons, dials, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 1, the refuse vehicle 10 includes an electric motor, aCNG engine, a hybrid engine, an internal combustion engine, a dieselengine, a gasoline engine, etc., shown as prime mover 18, and an energystorage system, shown as battery system 20. In some embodiments, theprime mover is or includes an internal combustion engine. For example,the prime mover may be a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a CNG engine,etc. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the primemover 18 is coupled to the frame 12 at a position beneath the cab 16.The prime mover 18 is configured to provide power to a plurality oftractive elements, shown as wheels 22 (e.g., via a drive shaft, axles,etc.). In other embodiments, the prime mover 18 is otherwise positionedand/or the refuse vehicle 10 includes a plurality of electric motors tofacilitate independently driving one or more of the wheels 22. In stillother embodiments, the prime mover 18 or a secondary electric motor iscoupled to and configured to drive a hydraulic system that powershydraulic actuators. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.1, the battery system 20 is coupled to the frame 12 beneath the body 14.In other embodiments, the battery system 20 is otherwise positioned(e.g., within a tailgate of the refuse vehicle 10, beneath the cab 16,along the top of the body 14, within the body 14, etc.).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the battery system 20 isconfigured to provide electric power to (i) the prime mover 18 to drivethe wheels 22, (ii) electric actuators of the refuse vehicle 10 tofacilitate operation thereof (e.g., lift actuators, tailgate actuators,packer actuators, grabber actuators, etc.), and/or (iii) otherelectrically operated accessories of the refuse vehicle 10 (e.g.,displays, lights, etc.). In some embodiments, the refuse vehicle 10includes an internal combustion generator that utilizes one or morefuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas, hydrogen, etc.) togenerate electricity to charge the battery system 20, power the primemover 18, power the electric actuators, and/or power the otherelectrically operated accessories (e.g., a hybrid refuse vehicle, etc.).For example, the refuse vehicle 10 may have an internal combustionengine augmented by the prime mover 18 to cooperatively provide power tothe wheels 22. The battery system 20 may thereby be charged via anon-board generator (e.g., an internal combustion generator, a solarpanel system, etc.), from an external power source (e.g., overhead powerlines, mains power source through a charging input, etc.), and/or via apower regenerative braking system, and provide power to the electricallyoperated systems of the refuse vehicle 10.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the refuse vehicle 10 isconfigured to transport refuse from various waste receptacles within amunicipality to a storage and/or processing facility (e.g., a landfill,an incineration facility, a recycling facility, etc.). As shown in FIG.1, the body 14 includes a plurality of panels, shown as panels 32, atailgate 34, and a cover 36. The panels 32, the tailgate 34, and thecover 36 define a collection chamber (e.g., hopper, etc.), shown asrefuse compartment 30. Loose refuse may be placed into the refusecompartment 30 where it may thereafter be compacted (e.g., by a packersystem, etc.). The refuse compartment 30 may provide temporary storagefor refuse during transport to a waste disposal site and/or a recyclingfacility. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the body 14 and therefuse compartment 30 extend above or in front of the cab 16. Accordingto the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the body 14 and the refusecompartment 30 are positioned behind the cab 16. In some embodiments,the refuse compartment 30 includes a hopper volume and a storage volume.Refuse may be initially loaded into the hopper volume and thereaftercompacted into the storage volume by a compacting apparatus 46.According to an exemplary embodiment, the hopper volume is positionedbetween the storage volume and the cab 16 (e.g., refuse is loaded into aposition of the refuse compartment 30 behind the cab 16 and stored in aposition further toward the rear of the refuse compartment 30, afront-loading refuse vehicle, a side-loading refuse vehicle, etc.). Inother embodiments, the storage volume is positioned between the hoppervolume and the cab 16 (e.g., a rear-loading refuse vehicle, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 1, the refuse vehicle 10 includes a liftmechanism/system (e.g., a front-loading lift assembly, etc.), shown aslift assembly 40, coupled to the front end of the body 14. In otherembodiments, the lift assembly 40 extends rearward of the body 14 (e.g.,a rear-loading refuse vehicle, etc.). In still other embodiments, thelift assembly 40 extends from a side of the body 14 (e.g., aside-loading refuse vehicle, etc.). As shown in FIG. 1, the liftassembly 40 is configured to engage a container (e.g., a residentialtrash receptacle, a commercial trash receptacle, a container having arobotic grabber arm, etc.), shown as refuse container 60. The liftassembly 40 may include various actuators (e.g., electric actuators,hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, etc.), shown as hydrauliccylinders 108, to facilitate engaging the refuse container 60, liftingthe refuse container 60, and tipping refuse out of the refuse container60 into the hopper volume of the refuse compartment 30 through anopening in the cover 36 or through the tailgate 34. The lift assembly 40may thereafter return the empty refuse container 60 to the ground.According to an exemplary embodiment, a door, shown as top door 38, ismovably coupled along the cover 36 to seal the opening therebypreventing refuse from escaping the refuse compartment 30 (e.g., due towind, bumps in the road, etc.).

Accessory Power System

Referring still to FIG. 1, the refuse vehicle 10 also includes anindependent accessory system 100 (e.g., a CNG powered accessory system,a diesel powered accessory system, etc.), according to an exemplaryembodiment. The independent accessory system 100 can be configured todrive, move, provide mechanical energy for, etc., or otherwise operatevarious body functions of refuse vehicle 10 independently of anoperation of prime mover 18. For example, the independent accessorysystem 100 can be configured to drive or operate the lift assembly 40, atailgate lift assembly 42, etc., or any other body function, liftapparatus, auxiliary apparatus, etc., of the refuse vehicle 10. In someembodiments, the independent accessory system 100 is configured tooperate a hydraulic cylinder 108 of any of the lift apparatuses,auxiliary apparatuses, etc. The independent accessory system 100 may beconfigured to operate independently of the prime mover (e.g., primemover 18) of the refuse vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the independentaccessory system 100 can operate to drive the hydraulic cylinders 108without requiring operation of the prime mover 18. For example, theindependent accessory system 100 can independently provide mechanicalenergy for the various body functions 114 of the refuse vehicle 10,without requiring operation of or mechanical energy from the prime mover18 (e.g., even if prime mover 18 is shut-off or inoperational, or in anidle mode). In some embodiments, the independent accessory system 100and operation of the prime mover 18 are linked (e.g., linked in acontrol scheme). However, if operation of the independent accessorysystem 100 and the prime mover 18 are linked in a control scheme, theindependent accessory system 100 and the prime mover 18 (e.g., the primemover of the refuse vehicle 10) may still be able to provide mechanicalenergy for their respective functions (e.g., operation of the bodyfunctions 114 and transportation of the refuse vehicle 10, respectively)independent of the operation of each other.

The body functions can include operation of lift arms (e.g., frontloading lift arms, side loading lift arms, rear loading lift arms),tailgates, dumping operations, packing operations, etc., of the refusevehicle 10. The refuse vehicle 10 can include various hydrauliccylinders 108 configured to perform any of the body functions describedherein. For example, the refuse vehicle 10 can include the compactingapparatus 46 that is configured to pack, crush, compact, compress, etc.,refuse that is loaded into the hopper or the body 14 using the hydrauliccylinders 108. The independent accessory system 100 can be configured tooperate any of the hydraulic cylinders 108 to perform the various bodyfunctions in response to user inputs. The independent accessory system100 can be configured to perform the various body functionsindependently of each other, or in conjunction with each other.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the independent accessory system 100includes one or more tanks, capsules, containers, pressure vessels,cartridges, etc., shown as fuel tanks 104 (e.g., CNG tanks, diesel fueltanks, gasoline tanks, etc.). The fuel tanks 104 are supported, fixedlycoupled, fixed, connected, etc., or otherwise coupled with a supportunit, a mount unit, a structure, etc., shown as support structure 102 ofthe refuse vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the fuel tanks 104 arepositioned within the tailgate 34 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5, describedin greater detail below). For example, the fuel tanks 104 and thesupport structure 102 can be disposed within an inner volume of thetailgate 34.

The independent accessory system 100 also includes an internalcombustion engine, a CNG engine, a diesel engine, a fuel cell, ahydrogen engine, an electric motor, etc., shown as accessory prime mover110. The accessory prime mover 110 is configured to receive fuel (e.g.,diesel fuel, gasoline, CNG, hydrogen, electrical energy, a resource,etc.) from the fuel tanks 104 through a piping system, a plumbingsystem, one or more pipes, etc. The piping system can include varioustubular members, pipes, hoses, valves, connectors, etc., that fluidlycouple with the tank 112 and the accessory prime mover 110 such thatfuel can be provided from the tank 112 to the accessory prime mover 110.The accessory prime mover 110 can use the fuel (e.g., combust the fuel)to produce mechanical energy. The mechanical energy is output by theaccessory prime mover 110 to a pump 106. The pump 106 can be driven bythe accessory prime mover 110 and draw hydraulic fluid from a fluidreservoir, a tank, etc., shown as tank 112. The tank 112 is coupled with(e.g., fixedly coupled, attached, mounted, etc.) with the refuse vehicle10. The tank 112 can be fixedly coupled with the body 14. The pump 106outputs the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders 108 to operatethe hydraulic cylinders 108 to perform the body functions 114.

In some embodiments, the accessory prime mover 110 is a smaller enginethan the prime mover 18. The accessory prime mover 110 and the hydraulicpump 106 can be sized according to requirements of the various bodyfunctions. Other refuse vehicles use the prime mover 18 to drive thebody functions. However, this may be inefficient, since the prime mover18 is sized to transport the refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., to provide torqueto the wheels 22) and may be oversized for the body functions. Using asmaller engine (e.g., the accessory prime mover 110) with acorrespondingly sized hydraulic pump 106 facilitates a more efficientand robust refuse vehicle, which does not use an oversized prime mover18 for body functions.

Advantageously, the independent accessory system 100 can usepre-existing infrastructure of the refuse vehicle 10. For example,CNG-powered refuse vehicles (e.g., refuse vehicles that use a CNG engineas the prime mover for transportation purposes) may already include asupport structure and fuel tanks that can be used by the accessory primemover 110/hydraulic pump 106 for the body functions.

Accessory Power Unit

Referring particularly to FIG. 6, one or more portions of theindependent accessory system 100 can be contained in, enclosed in,supported by, etc., a modular unit, an add-on unit, a removable unit,etc., shown as accessory power unit (APU) 120. The APU 120 can beconfigured to integrate with existing infrastructure (e.g., CNGinfrastructure) of the refuse vehicle 10 to operate or drive the variousbody functions of the refuse vehicle 10. The refuse vehicle 10 can beconfigured as a front loading refuse vehicle, a side loading refusevehicle, a rear loading refuse vehicle, etc. It should be understoodthat while the inventive concepts described herein reference a refusevehicle, it is contemplated that the APU 120 and/or the variouscomponents of the independent accessory system 100 are also applicableto various other types of vehicles that include body functions. Forexample, the independent accessory system 100 and/or the APU 120 can beused on a fire truck, a commercial truck, a heavy-duty truck, etc., orany vehicle that has body functions to be operated independently of thetransportation of the vehicle.

The APU 120 can be removably coupled with the refuse vehicle 10 on anunderside of the body 14. For example, the APU 120 can be fixedly andremovably coupled with the frame 12 beneath the body 14. The APU 120 canbe fixedly and removably coupled at a front of the frame 12, at a rearend of the frame 12, centrally along the frame 12, etc. In otherembodiments, the APU 120 can be fixedly and removably coupled with aside of the body 14, within the body 14, within a compartment of thebody 14, on top of the body 14, etc. The APU 120 can be positionedanywhere about the body 14 or anywhere on the refuse vehicle 10 thatprovides sufficient structural strength (e.g., along the frame 12, neara chassis of the refuse vehicle 10, etc.).

The APU 120 includes the accessory prime mover 110, the tank 112, andthe hydraulic pump 106, according to an exemplary embodiment. The APU120 can be a hollow container that protects the various internalcomponents (e.g., the accessory prime mover 110, the tank 112, thehydraulic pump 106, etc.) and removably couples with the refuse vehicle10. The accessory prime mover 110 of the APU 120 fluidly couples withthe fuel tanks 104 through a plumbing system, a piping system, etc.,shown as tubular system 122. The tubular system 122 includes varioustubular members that fluidly couple the fuel tanks 104 with theaccessory prime mover 110. The accessory prime mover 110 receives thefuel from the fuel tanks 104 through the tubular system 122, combuststhe fuel, and drives the hydraulic pump 106. The hydraulic pump 106 thendrives the hydraulic cylinder(s) 108 of the various body functions ofthe refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., through various tubular members, pipes,etc.).

Advantageously, the APU 120 facilitates a versatile refuse vehicle withimproved efficiency since the accessory prime mover 110 and thehydraulic pump 106 are sized to serve or drive the various hydrauliccylinders 108. The APU 120 can be installed by a technician, plumbed(e.g., by fluidly coupling the accessory prime mover 110 with the fueltanks 104 through installation of the tubular system 122), and used tooperate the various body functions of the refuse vehicle 10.Advantageously, the various body functions of the refuse vehicle 10 canbe operated independently of the prime mover 18. The APU 120 canintegrate with existing structure (e.g., existing fuel tanks 104), tothereby convert refuse vehicles to the refuse vehicle 10 describedherein.

Control System

Referring particularly to FIG. 3, a control system 200 can be configuredto operate the refuse vehicle 10, according to an exemplary embodiment.The control system 200 includes a controller that is configured togenerate control signals for a drivetrain, a chassis, etc., of therefuse vehicle 10, shown as drivetrain 210. The drivetrain 210 includesan engine 202, a transmission 204, and wheels 22 of the refuse vehicle10. The engine 202 may be the prime mover 18 of the refuse vehicle 10.The engine 202 can produce mechanical energy and output the mechanicalenergy to the transmission 204. The transmission 204 receives themechanical energy from the engine 202 and outputs mechanical energy(e.g., rotational kinetic energy) to the wheels 22 (e.g., at a highertorque than the mechanical energy input by the engine 202).

Control system 200 includes a controller 208 that is configured togenerate control signals for the engine 202 and the transmission 204.The controller 208 can include a circuit, shown as processing circuit216, a processor, shown as processor 212, and memory, shown as memory214, according to an exemplary embodiment. Controller 208 may beimplemented as a general-purpose processor, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), a digital-signal-processor (DSP), circuits containing one ormore processing components, circuitry for supporting a microprocessor, agroup of processing components, or other suitable electronic processingcomponents. The processing circuit 216 of controller 208 may include anASIC, one or more FPGAs, a DSP, circuits containing one or moreprocessing components, circuitry for supporting a microprocessor, agroup of processing components, or other suitable electronic processingcomponents (i.e., processor 212). In some embodiments, the processingcircuit 216 is configured to execute computer code stored in memory 214to facilitate the activities described herein.

Memory 214 may be any volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storagemedium capable of storing data or computer code relating to theactivities described herein. According to an exemplary embodiment,memory 214 includes computer code modules (e.g., executable code, objectcode, source code, script code, machine code, etc.) configured forexecution by the processing circuit 216.

In some embodiments, a single controller 208 is configured to generatecontrol signals for both the drivetrain 210 and the independentaccessory system 100. In other embodiments, multiple controllers 208 areconfigured to generate control signals for independent accessory system100 and drivetrain 210 independently of each other. For example, a firstcontroller 208 can be configured to provide control signals to engine202 and/or transmission 204 of drivetrain 210, while a second controller208 can be configured to provide control signals for independentaccessory system 100. The first and second controllers 208 can beconfigured to receive user inputs from a human machine interface (HMI)or a user interface, shown as HMI 218. In some embodiments, the firstand second controllers 208 are configured to receive user inputs fromseparate HMIs 218. The HMIs 218 can be positioned within the cab 16 ornear the associated body functions (e.g., near lift assembly 40). Forexample, the HMI 218 that controls the operation of the drivetrain 210can be disposed within the cab 16, while the HMI 218 that controls theoperation of the lift assembly 40 can be positioned on the body 14 nearthe lift assembly 40.

Charging System

Referring particularly to FIG. 4, a charging system 300 can be used tore-charge batteries 44 of the battery system 20, according to anexemplary embodiment. The charging system 300 includes a chargingstation 302 that can be positioned at a fleet management site, at a jobsite, along the refuse vehicle's route, etc. The charging station 302includes one or more fuel tanks 306, an engine 304, and a generator 308.The fuel tanks 306 can be the same as or similar to the fuel tanks 104on the refuse vehicle 10. Likewise, the engine 304 can be similar to theaccessory prime mover 110 on the refuse vehicle 10.

The refuse vehicle 10 includes controller 208 that is configured togenerate and provide control signals for prime mover 18 (e.g., anelectric motor) and/or accessory prime mover 110. The controller 208 canbe configured to receive user inputs from HMI 218 and generate thecontrol signals for the prime mover 18 and/or the accessory prime mover110 based on the user inputs. In some embodiments, the controller 208generates control signals to operate the prime mover 18 and/or theaccessory prime mover 110 to perform operations requested by the userthrough HMI 218.

The refuse vehicle 10 can be driven by an electric motor, an engine(e.g., engine 202), or a hybrid engine-electric motor. In this way, therefuse vehicle may be an electrically driven refuse vehicle, aninternal-combustion engine driven vehicle, or a hybrid vehicle. Forexample, the refuse vehicle 10 can include a plurality of prime movers.One or more of the prime movers can be electric motors (e.g., the primemover 18) and/or internal combustion engines (e.g., the engine 202). Theelectric motors used to transport the refuse vehicle 10 are suppliedwith power by batteries 44 of the battery system 20.

The batteries 44 can be removable and/or replaceable battery cells. Forexample, the batteries 44 can be charged at a fleet management site in acharging rack, then installed into the refuse vehicle 10. The batteries44 can be later removed (e.g., after a state of charge of the batteries44 has been depleted) and replaced with new or fresh batteries (e.g.,that may be stored on the refuse vehicle 10).

The operator of the refuse vehicle 10 may arrive at a job site, or at afleet management location and electrically couple the charging station302 with the batteries 44. Since some refuse vehicles operate using CNG,the charging station 302 may use pre-existing fuel tanks 306 at thefleet management location that store CNG. In some embodiments, theengine 304 and the generator 308 are packaged in a unit that isconfigured to fluidly couple with the fuel tanks 306. In someembodiments, the fuel tanks 306 are removably fluidly coupled with theengine 304. In this way, the fuel tanks 306 can be used for replenishingthe fuel tanks 104 on the refuse vehicle 10 and/or for chargingbatteries 44 of the refuse vehicle 10. The generator 308 can be anymechanical transducer capable of receiving mechanical energy (e.g.,rotational kinetic energy) and generating electrical energy for thebatteries 44. For example, the generator 308 can include a stator and anarmature that is driven by the engine 304 to produce electrical currentor electrical energy.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the accessory prime mover 110 can beconfigured to output mechanical energy to generator 116 to drivegenerator 116 to generate electrical power. The electrical power isprovided to batteries 44 of refuse vehicle 10 to charge the batteries44. In this way, accessory prime mover 110 can operate independently todrive generator 116 to charge batteries 44 of refuse vehicle 10.

Support Infrastructure

Referring now to FIG. 5, one possible infrastructure of the supportstructure 102 includes the fuel tanks 104 stored within the tailgate 34.The tailgate 34 can include a first or inner member 502 and a second orouter member 504. The first member 502 is configured to fixedly and/orpivotally couple with the refuse vehicle 10. The first member 502 andthe second member 504 can be configured to removably and fixedly couplewith each other to define an inner volume. The fuel tanks 104 can befixedly coupled with the first member 502 and stored within the innervolume defined by the first member 502 and the second member 504. Thefuel tanks 104 can be oriented horizontally (as shown in FIG. 5) orvertically. The fuel tanks 104 can be fixedly coupled with the firstmember 502 at their ends (e.g., with fasteners). In some embodiments,the fuel tanks 104 extend along substantially an entire width of thetailgate 34.

It should be understood that while several configurations of the supportstructure 102 are described herein, the inventive concepts are notlimited to these configurations of the support structure 102. The fueltanks 104 can be positioned anywhere on the refuse vehicle 10, or inmultiple locations. For example, the fuel tanks 104 can be positioned ontop of the refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., on top of the body 14), underneaththe refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., on an underside of the body 14, on theframe 12 beneath the refuse vehicle 10, etc.), between the cab 16 andthe body 14, etc.

Configuration of Exemplary Embodiments

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”,and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited inthe appended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, asused herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicatethat such embodiments are possible examples, representations, orillustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intendedto connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary orsuperlative examples).

The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g.,removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the twomembers coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled toeach other using a separate intervening member and any additionalintermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two memberscoupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If“coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term(e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” providedabove is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term(e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without anyseparate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition thanthe generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may bemechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of variouselements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation ofvarious elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments,and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the presentdisclosure.

The hardware and data processing components used to implement thevarious processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks,modules and circuits described in connection with the embodimentsdisclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purposesingle- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A generalpurpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventionalprocessor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processoralso may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as acombination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particularprocesses and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific toa given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device)may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard diskstorage) for storing data and/or computer code for completing orfacilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in thepresent disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory ornon-volatile memory, and may include database components, object codecomponents, script components, or any other type of informationstructure for supporting the various activities and informationstructures described in the present disclosure. According to anexemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to theprocessor via a processing circuit and includes computer code forexecuting (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one ormore processes described herein.

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and programproducts on any machine-readable media for accomplishing variousoperations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implementedusing existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computerprocessor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or anotherpurpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of thepresent disclosure include program products comprising machine-readablemedia for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or datastructures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be anyavailable media that can be accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example,such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, orother optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or storedesired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions ordata structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinationsof the above are also included within the scope of machine-readablemedia. Machine-executable instructions include, for example,instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform acertain function or group of functions.

Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order ofmethod steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depictedand described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or moresteps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unlessspecified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, onthe software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. Allsuch variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise,software implementations of the described methods could be accomplishedwith standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and otherlogic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps,comparison steps, and decision steps.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of therefuse vehicle 10 and the systems and components thereof as shown in thevarious exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, anyelement disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized withany other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of anelement from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized inanother embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciatedthat other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated orutilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refuse vehicle comprising: a plurality oftractive elements; a prime mover configured to generate mechanicalenergy to drive one or more of the tractive elements; an independentaccessory system, comprising: one or more storage tanks configured tostore a fuel and positioned within a tailgate of the refuse vehicle; anaccessory primary mover configured to fluidly couple with the one ormore storage tanks to receive the fuel from the one or more storagetanks; and a hydraulic pump configured to be driven by the accessoryprimary mover to pressurize a hydraulic fluid to drive an accessory ofthe refuse vehicle; wherein the accessory primary mover is configured topressurize the hydraulic fluid to drive the accessory of the refusevehicle independently of operation of the prime mover.
 2. The refusevehicle of claim 1, wherein the prime mover is at least one of aninternal combustion engine, a compressed natural gas engine, or anelectric motor.
 3. The refuse vehicle of claim 2, further comprising: abattery system comprising a plurality of battery cells configured tostore energy, wherein the electric motor is configured to drawelectrical power from the battery cells to drive one or more of thetractive elements.
 4. The refuse vehicle of claim 3, wherein theaccessory primary mover is configured to drive a generator to charge thebattery cells.
 5. The refuse vehicle of claim 4, wherein the batterycells are driven to charge by a generator that is driven by anotheraccessory primary mover separate from the accessory primary mover usedto drive the hydraulic pump.
 6. The refuse vehicle of claim 5, whereinthe generator, the other accessory primary mover, and a plurality ofcharging fuel tanks are stored at a charging stations, wherein therefuse vehicle is configured to removably electrically couple with thegenerator of the charging station to charge the battery cells of therefuse vehicle.
 7. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein theindependent accessory system is a compressed natural gas (CNG) system,wherein the fuel is a compressed natural gas, and the accessory primarymover is a CNG engine configured to consume the compressed natural gasto drive the hydraulic pump.
 8. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, whereinthe independent accessory system is a diesel system, wherein the fuel isa diesel fuel, and the accessory primary mover is an internal combustionengine configured to consume the diesel fuel to drive the hydraulicpump.
 9. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein the accessory primarymover and the hydraulic pump are positioned in a modular unit, whereinthe modular unit is removably coupled with the refuse vehicle.
 10. Therefuse vehicle of claim 8, wherein the modular unit is a tailgate thatis coupled with the refuse vehicle.
 11. An independent accessory systemfor a refuse vehicle, the system comprising: one or more storage tankspositioned within a tailgate of the refuse vehicle and configured tostore a fuel; an accessory primary mover configured to fluidly couplewith the one or more storage tanks to receive the fuel from the one ormore storage tanks; and a hydraulic pump configured to be driven by theaccessory primary mover to a pressurize a hydraulic fluid to drive anaccessory of the refuse vehicle; wherein the accessory primary mover isconfigured to pressurize the hydraulic fluid to drive the accessory ofthe refuse vehicle independently of operation of a prime mover of therefuse vehicle.
 12. The independent accessory system of claim 11,wherein the prime mover of the refuse vehicle is at least one of aninternal combustion engine, a compressed natural gas engine, or anelectric motor.
 13. The independent accessory system of claim 11,wherein the accessory primary mover is configured to drive a generatorto generate electrical energy to charge battery cells of the refusevehicle.
 14. The independent accessory system of claim 11, wherein theindependent accessory system is a compressed natural gas (CNG) system,wherein the fuel is a compressed natural gas, and the accessory primarymover is a CNG engine configured to consume the compressed natural gasto drive the hydraulic pump.
 15. The independent accessory system ofclaim 11, wherein the independent accessory system is a diesel system,wherein the fuel is a diesel fuel and the accessory primary mover is aninternal combustion engine configured to consume the diesel fuel todrive the hydraulic pump.
 16. The independent accessory system of claim11, wherein the accessory primary mover and the hydraulic pump arepositioned in a modular unit, wherein the modular unit is removablycoupled with the refuse vehicle.
 17. The independent accessory system ofclaim 16, wherein the modular unit is a tailgate of the refuse vehicle.18. A refuse vehicle comprising: a plurality of tractive elements; aprimary mover configured to drive the plurality of tractive elements fortransportation; and an independent compressed natural gas (CNG) systemcomprising: a plurality of CNG storage tanks configured to store CNGfuel; and an independent CNG engine configured to receive the CNG fuelfrom the plurality of CNG storage tanks and generate mechanical energyusing the CNG fuel, wherein the independent CNG engine operatesindependently of operation of the primary mover of the refuse vehicle.19. The refuse vehicle of claim 18, wherein the independent CNG engineis configured to drive operation of one or more accessories of therefuse vehicle.
 20. The refuse vehicle of claim 18, wherein theindependent CNG engine is configured to drive a generator to charge abattery of the refuse vehicle.